Lee Pietraszak

Lee Pietraszak, beloved husband, proud father and grandfather, and devoted brother, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, surrounded by boundless love.

Born March 5, 1953, to Joseph and Irene (Gozdowski) Pietraszak, Lee was the fifth of eight children. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1971 and began a long career with Chrysler at the Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, Ohio. After 37 years of dedicated service, Lee retired in 2008.

In March 1986, Lee married the love of his life, Sylvia Cordle. Together, they raised their family in Springfield Township, where Lee spent most of his life. Not one to sit still for long, shortly after retirement, he pursued a lifelong dream of teaching, becoming a Driver Education Instructor at Springfield High School — the very school he once attended.

Lee was known for his deep love of family and friends, his infectious warmth, and his knack for making people smile — whether through his quick wit (especially his classic response, “With my fingers” — if you know, you know), his kind gestures, or his enthusiastic greetings.

He found great joy in home renovation projects, tinkering in the garage, grilling, hunting, fishing, and golfing. But more than anything, Lee treasured time spent with his loved ones. Becoming “Grampa Daycare” in 2013 after the birth of his first grandchild, Logan, was one of the highlights of his life — a role he embraced with joy until his traumatic brain injury in 2015.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David Pietraszak; sisters, Grace Carrier and Laurie Pietraszak; and his mother-in-law, Lucile Cordle.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia; children, Spencer Pietraszak, Jacob (Danielle) Pietraszak, and Amanda (Justin) Trala; cherished grandchildren, Logan and Wrenn Trala; siblings, Marty (Sharon) Pietraszak, Daniel (Judy) Pietraszak, Kathy Avedisian, and Tom (Shere) Pietraszak; many nieces and nephews; father-in-law, Kenneth Cordle; and lifelong best friend since first grade, Bill Abrams. He also leaves behind many beloved cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - West Sylvania Chapel, 3655 King Road, Toledo, Ohio, where a Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who supported Lee after his injury, especially Nancy Kerven, his devoted home care aide for over six years, and the caring teams at MemoryLane Care Services and Hampton Manor in Temperance, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to MemoryLane Care Services in Lee’s memory.

To share a memory of Lee or to leave a special message for his family, please visit the Guestbook below.